Lost in the Wild Lands (La Grandeza Series #3)

Kabanata 39

Suspect

"So, you're saying we are going to meet the Detective Pomijarente, something gano'n gano'n?" Sally asked.

Nasa isang juice bar kami sa Robinsons Mall Manila and I am with Jiro and Sally. Tahimik lang si Jiro sa gilid habang kami ni Sally ay daldal nang daldal.

"Oo nga, tungkol nga kasi 'to ro'n sa sumaksak kay Rius..." sabi ko at sumimsim ng orange juice.

Kahapon lang nangyari ang pagpunta ko sa presinto kasama si Lyndon at ngayon na namin kikitain 'yung detective. Hindi pa rin nagigising si Rius, kakabisita ko lang sa kaniya kaninang umaga and he's still peacefully lying there.

Tita Reganne and Tito Evan went also for a visit and sa ngayon ay sila ang nakabantay kay Rius. I told them what happened.

"Oh my god, this reminds me of everything that happened in the past..." si Tita Reganne.

I sighed at pagod na ngumiti. "Gusto ko pong humingi ng tawad dahil nadamay po si Rius sa problema ko. Ito po 'yung isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit gusto ko rin pong lumayo sa kaniya... he can't be with me dahil patuloy lang siyang maapektuhan..."

Tito Evan cleared his throat after a long silence. "I don't know what else to suggest. I want him to be happy but I also don't want to put his life at risk... I can't lose someone I love again..."

Bakas ko sa boses ni Tito ang lungkot at pait. Lubos ko siyang naiintindihan kaya alam kong tama ang kalahating parte ng isip ko na I am really not the girl for him. He doesn't deserve this... sobrang daming maapektuhan.

Tita Reganne brushed her hand on Tito Evan's shoulder, comforting him.

"I understand po, Tito. I also want him to be happy and it makes me happy as well when we are together pero if this is the payment for all of those happy memories... ayaw ko na lang pong maging masaya kasama si Rius..." sabi ko.

Tita Reganne pursed her lips and sighed. "I am not asking you to leave my son, Sydney. You're a very nice lady, an ideal woman for my son. This decision is for you to decide... we will respect your decision. Thank you for loving my son and for making him happy but if that's your decision we can't do anything about that..."

I nodded. "I am still thinking about it po... I want to protect him from the risk of my world so I am risking everything I have to fulfill that. Hahanapin ko po kung sino ang gumawa nito at sisiguraduhin ko pong may kakalagyan sila..."

She smiled. "Just tell us what we could do... if you think this is a business that should be handled by you, we won't meddle. We are just here if you need anything..."

"Thank you po..."

I looked at Rius. He's still sleeping... I'll find who did this for Rius and for our safety as well. I just don't understand. Who could possibly do this?

Wala pang isang linggo ang pag-iisip ko tungkol do'n. I am still afraid pero purisigidong malaman kung sino ang gumawa nito.

"Gwapo ba 'yung detective? Anong pangalan? Baka may facebook..." sabi ni Sally.

Umirap ako. "Siraulo ka talaga, naisip mo pa 'yan..."

"Joke lang. Ito naman, pinapatawa lang kita... like, chill lang. Mahahanap din natin kung sino 'yung gumawa nito."

"Detective Pomijarente raw... I don't know his name..." sabi ko kaya ngumuso siya at tumango.

Saktong pag buntong hininga ko ay narinig ko ang bell na matatamaan kapag may nagbukas ng pinto ng shop.